Jamex Strut Bar installation questions and a WARNING.

[Craig Lebakken <lebakken@cdicadwa.com>]

Hello Fellow Audifans,

I am currently in the process of installing the Jamex Strut Bar to my
4KQ. The supplied instructions for installation are weak. Surfing some
websites has helped (esp. Huw's), however, I have a question no one
seems to have encountered.

The dished cap at the top of the strut tower, underneath the strut nut
is elevated by the thickness of the strut bar attachment fitting (.175")
when this fitting is installed underneath the cap . Under normal
conditions, when the strut bearing is fully engaged in the strut tower
from underneath, i.e., supporting the vehicle's weight, this dished cap
extends down far enough to contact the strut bearing (or at least the
slotted strut bearing retention nut). If this is case normally, then the
strut nut bottoms out the dished cap on the strut bearing, and all
tightening torque on the nut resolves to compression bearing on the
dished cap. However, when the dished cap is elevated by the strut bar
fitting, tightening torque on the nut resolves to tension on the strut
rod, which then "pulls" the strut bearing more tightly into the strut
housing where it seats. The pull of the strut rod is countered by the
strut bearing. Excessive torquing of the strut nut would then cause a
preload to exist on the strut bearing, which would be in addition to
vehicle weight and suspension (bump) forces. Since the strut bearing is
designed to take suspension magnitude forces already, this concern is
probably a moot point, unless one really overtorques the strut nut.

Since Audi seems to have allowed a small amount of lateral play in the
strut bearing under cornering forces, under normal strut bearing
installation condition, perhaps this explains the sudden improvement in
tightness or response that some people notice when they have installed
the strut bar. Maybe a .100" spacer under the strut cap would be a cheap
handling improvement. I plan on installing a couple of 9/16 ID grade 8
and stainless washers of a total thickness of .160" under the dished cap
to fill this "void" created by the introduction of the strut bar fitting
under the cap.

Thoughts?

Craig Lebakken
1986 4KQ

PS I have found out this last weekend that the small half (passenger
side) of my strut bar has "welded" itself to the threaded adjuster that
connects the two halves of the strut bar assembly. Various lubricants
applied over the course of days, failed to keep the threads from
shearing, thereby ruining both pieces. How do I get these replaced? John
K do you know?? Is this a warranty issue?? The damn thing sat in the
corner of the garage for several months, but was never exposed to
anything. WARNING to those that have these bars - dissasemble them (if
you still can) and get some anti seize on them!!